$2 million Ferrari

One of the most exclusive cars ever built will go on show in New Zealand next month. It's the $2 million Enzo Ferrari, named after the founder of the Italian prancing horse marque, but known as the Enzo. Only 399 have been built and one was allocated to New Zealand by Ferrari chief Luca Cordero di Montezmolo. Said Mark Darrow, managing director of Ferrari importers Continental Car Services: "The allocation was made in recognition of our 30 years of representing Ferrari in New Zealand. We are arranging for the Enzo to be on display in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch in August." Ferrari's Formula One champion, Michael Schumacher, calls the Enzo "the closest thing to a road-going race car". It is powered by a 6-litre, quad-cam, V12 engine producing 485kW (660bhp) at 7800rpm and 657Nm of torque at 5500rpm. Top speed is about 350km/h. Zero to 100km/h takes 3.6 seconds and on to 200km/h in 9.5 seconds. Schumacher said there were two ways of driving the Enzo. "With the traction control on or with it off. If you don't know how to drive, I suggest you do switch it on."

Toyota out front

Toyota captured a whopping 28 per cent of new vehicle sales in June to be the New Zealand market leader after the first six months of this year. According to the Land Transport Safety Authority, Toyota sold 2517 new vehicles for the month, followed by Ford with 1584 (17.7 per cent) and Holden third with 1134 (12.7)). Next was Mitsubishi with 808 sales (9.0), Nissan 510 (5.7), Mazda 430 (4.8) and Honda 417 (4.7). Sales of all other makes of new vehicles accounted for only 17.3 per cent. So far this year, Toyota has 19.9 per cent of the market, followed by Ford with 17.8, Holden 16.2, Mitsubishi 9.0, Nissan 6.5, Mazda 5.2 and Honda 4.7. New vehicle sales for the first six months were up 8.3 per cent on the period last year. Toyota sales, which include Daihatsu sales, were up 13 per cent. So far this year Toyota has sold 8577 vehicles, Ford 7671, Holden 6994, Mitsubishi 3876, Nissan 2790, Mazda 2228, Honda 2050. The best of the Europeans is BMW with 919 sales, followed by Volkswagen 766, Mercedes-Benz 750, Peugeot 707, Audi 504.

Spreading the load

In the United State, trucks keep losing some expensive loads. An 18-wheeler spilt its cargo of beer near Fort Tejon, California. In Louisville, Kentucky, 7000 litres of Southern Comfort whiskey ended up all over the road. So did 20 tonnes of hot dogs near Kansas City, and 270,000 eggs at Crown Pt, Indiana. Pizza dough, expanding from rising yeast, leaked out of a truck's rear door and spread over 40km of highway near Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. In Pagosa Springs, Colorado, $1 million in cash was scattered over the road, and at Lebanon Junction, Kentucky, 50,000 screws fell off a truck and punctured the tyres of more than 60 cars. In Albuquerque, New Mexico, 37 voting machines fell off of a truck and were ruined, six days before local elections.

Daewoo change GM

Daewoo has cut its ties with Auckland dealership CBC Motors, owned by former Daewoo distributor Russell Burling. GM Daewoo general manager Robert Brehaut says GM Daewoo customers who bought cars from CBC Motors will still be protected under present warranties.

We are the world

Police in Modesto, California, were called to a building site late at night after a man had his head split open by a brick. At first they thought the man had been attacked. But witnesses say he was merely trying to see how high he could throw a brick. The man lost track of the brick's flight in the dark and was hit on the head. He was taken to hospital. Police said alcohol was involved.